The Resurrection And Everlasting Life

 

Now that Jesus has died for us and risen in glory, the gates of Paradise that had been closed to us because of Adam and Eve’s sin have been opened up again. Not only do we have hope of living beyond this life, we have the hope that it will be a glorious, joyful existence. We won’t just be souls drifting along aimlessly in a gray mist. But we hope to be resurrected- both body and soul- to rejoice in the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for all eternity.

 The sad thing is that, even though it has been almost two-thousand years since Jesus rose from the dead, most people still live as if this world is all that there is. They are not even thinking about life after death. Their only hope is in this world and what it offers. In their minds, earth is the only Paradise we can ever know. The only thing that makes sense to them is to live for today.

 However, as Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has opened up a new horizon for us. There is more to our existence than just our earthly life. Our eyes are fixed on more than what this world can offer. Rather, our goal is eternal life with Jesus. That is what we strive for. That is where our hope lies.

 Saint Paul tells us in Sunday’s second reading, “So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:1-2 RSV). 

This is the wonderful truth that we proclaim. Our resurrection from the dead and the eternal life that Jesus has won for us is not just a future event. It is not like a ticket we cash in on only after we die. It is a reality that we are already living because of our baptism. That is why Saint Paul can say, “SINCE you have been raised.” He doesn’t say WHEN you are raised or UNTIL you are raised. He talks about it as a reality that has already happened. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead opened up a new possibility of life which is ours through baptism and faith.

 This is how Saint Paul puts it in his letter to the Galatians, “...I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2: 19b-20 RSV).

Our life here on this earth is an extension of the risen life of Jesus Christ. If we have been baptized, then Christ is living in us. It is Jesus’ breath in our lungs. It is His strength in our limbs. It is His love beating in our hearts and His hope running through our veins. We have been raised with Jesus, so our faith is what must guide us.